Annular Oven Control Knob With Stable Guided Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliance control devices with movable operating elements and electronic display panels face challenges in achieving a compact, user-friendly design with intuitive information presentation, often requiring large space and being clumsy due to the separate arrangement of components.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a ring-shaped front part and slide ring coupled via a guide, allowing for secure rotation without falling, featuring a resilient engagement element in a groove for smooth and precise movement, and a stationary sliding ring for stable positioning, enabling easy operation and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operating element is designed as a large toggle or cylinder to enable easy gripping and rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device occupies more space and becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of gripping and rotatingVSAvoidspace occupied by operating element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The operating element is divided into two parts: a front part for gripping and rotating, and a slide ring that guides movement. This segmentation allows the front part to be smaller while maintaining ease of operation through the guide mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide mechanism with groove and engagement element acts as an intermediary between the front part and the actuation mechanism. This intermediary enables precise rotational movement with minimal space requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the front part is coupled securely to prevent falling out, then the reliability is improved, but the friction increases making rotation cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against falling outVSAvoidsmoothness of rotation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement element is designed to be resilient and arranged in a prestressed manner, creating a dynamic coupling that maintains secure connection while allowing smooth rotational movement through controlled elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement element's resilient properties and prestressed arrangement change the mechanical parameters of the coupling, providing both security and low friction through elastic deformation during rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the components are arranged separately to maintain functional independence, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional independence of componentsVSAvoidarrangement of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide mechanism merges the coupling function and movement guidance function into a single integrated structure, reducing component count while maintaining functional independence through the resilient engagement element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a compact, user-friendly, and precisely operable control device that allows for easy setting of operating conditions with reduced space requirements and minimal friction, enhancing user experience and operational precision.

Implementation Method 1

The engagement element is designed to be resilient as viewed in the radial direction of the sliding ring and in the radial direction of the front part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The guide has a groove which is open in the radial direction of the front part and comprises at least one engaging element for engaging in the groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Implementation Method 3

due to the force of gravity when the front part is vertically oriented, the front part also sits on the engagement element, so to speak, so that this results in a supporting or lifting bearing of the front part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3183500B1Operating device for a domestic appliance having a stably positioned annular operating-element front part
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3183500B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3183500B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an operating device for a domestic appliance (1), comprising an electronic display field (11) and an operating element (13), which can be moved in relation to the display field (11) in order to set operating conditions of the domestic appliance (1), wherein the operating element (13) has a front part (17), which has a top side (18) inclined inward. The invention further relates to a baking oven (1) having an operating device (10).